Bondage ebooks

Model Prisoner
a comic serial in 48 chapters by E. Ford
Gargoyle Sales
New York, New York
ca. 1956

digital replica
and
optimized pictures-only version

Gargoyle Sales published sexy photo sets and comic serials with fetish, bondage and domination themes. Its most enduring product is the 16-picture story now know as Bizarre Honeymoon.

The 48 chapters of Model Prisoner show about 250 words of text at the top and an illustration that depicts the narration on the lower portion of 8.5" x 6.5" photo prints. Considering the close correlation of prose and pictures, it's likely that the narrative was written after the images were produced.

It appears that the series was sold and published in sets of eight. Varied typefaces, character proportions, signatures, sizes and graphic textures suggest different hands at each stage of development.

Mr. Ford's ink defines appealing feminine curves enhanced by a big wardrobe of fetish accessories. Stockings, garter belts, garters, corsets, belts, waist-cinchers, gowns, long gloves, collars and high-heeled shoes, sandals and boots adorn willowy figures in his cast of lovely characters. He's expert at candid display of pulchritude in lacy panties, short skirts, chemises, and bras. Many of his explicit costumes involve fishnet hosiery, body stockings, bras, gloves and blouses.

The pretext for bondage involves suspected commercial espionage. When Sherry applies for modeling work at Stephanie's Styles boutique, the owner assumes that she's being approached by a spy sent by Yvonne, her competitor. Yvonne calls Stephanie's exclusive line of restraints Haute Torturiere, alluding to a devious mix of fashion and pain.

First, Sherry endures punishments enforced by implements of leather, steel and fabric. Cuffs, chains, chairs, pipes, frames, boards, spreader bars, wood boxes, gags, leashes, helmets, collars and ropes twist, stretch, invert, bend and suspend our pretty damsel in cruel contortions. Later, she serves as maid.

Most tableaux show Stephanie holding one of her many whips, standing or sitting near her prey, enjoying the view. In a few scenes, a bellowed, full-sized, sheet film camera captures the action from atop a tripod. In other episodes, Stephanie displays her trussed captive in the shop window and sidewalk strollers stop to inspect the bizarre show.

The colorful prose provides thorough description of contraptions and attire. In Chapter 6, an electric device spanks Sherry while she examines the riveted metal corset and head harness that will compress her flesh in Chapters 7 and 8.

"I think that in addition to your modeling, your duties should include those of parlor maid," Stephanie informed the captive beauty. I'm going to shut down the salon for a week or so, in order to give your training the right attention."

She was busy with a change of Sherry's costume. The exquisite brunette was being clad in black net waist-high hose and spike heels, skin tight latex briefs, an extreme width four-buckle belt and transparent lace black brassiere.

"I have a uniform in mind that should be sensational when you're seen in it. It'll be a sensation to wear at least." She led the submissive Sherry to another room where a huge electric fan stood bolted to the floor. It was tilted with the blades horizontal, and from the end of each blade there trailed a group of savagely barbed leather thongs. Not quite directly overhead there was a bar hanging by a chain at its center.

"This should keep you occupied while I mix some drinks," said Stephanie. "Lift your arms. Stand on tiptoe, slave," and she lashed Sherry's wrists to the bar. Another short bar was tied to her ankles. Then Stephanie brought in a small table and set on it an amazing metal corset, cunningly spiked, and fitted with a cage-like head brace and an adjustable arm pinion.

"You can study this a while, if you can think straight," and she turned on the fan. It gathered speed and the lashes whistled and snapped relentlessly at the girl's tightly rubbered hips. A strap and ball gag stifled her scream as her straining body twisted and spun, but any contorted posture only seemed to enhance her exposure to the inexorably cruel spanking.

Two ebooks present all 48 chapters. One shows each episode as originally produced, with narrative blocks and vertical pages that match proportions of the 1950s photo prints. Horizontal pictures that printed in vertical orientation were rotated for the ebook.

The materials that served as source materials for the ebooks have varying levels of gradation in the presentation of grays. Photo prints offer a palette of grays that morphs gradually from light to dark, but some of the sheets lack that subtlety.

Brightness and contrast were adjusted and shadows reduced to reveal detail. Image editing improves the clarity of images.

A second, optimized ebook contains only illustrations on more than 200 pages. Each panel appears with borders, followed by a presentation of just characters. Virtual enlargements of devices, apparel, figure features and faces disclose precious constructions within Mr. Ford's focused tableaux.

All new scans.

After the demise of Gargoyle Sales, their products were reprinted by Satellite and other publishers. Ebook content was derived from original photo prints.

Model Prisoner shows the conscientious craftsmanship of an artist who was as fluent in his subject matter as he was skillful with his media. Mr. Ford's creativity gives us a sensuous spectrum of bondage predicaments, fetish accessories, vicious villainesses and a sweet captive in high heels.

Two ebooks, one optimized, delivered by download from your 30th Street Graphics account.